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St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church www.xavierbrunswick.org, 912-265-3249 October 4, 2020
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
www.xavierbrunswick.org, 912-265-3249
October 4, 2020
In the image and likeness of God!
Respect life. It's a phrase we often hear within the Church. We may ask, why? Why respect life? The bishops of the United States have declared October Respect Life month. This gives us good opportunity to pause think of the dignity of each human life. Why do humans have dignity? The answer is that each and every human being is creat-ed by God in the image and likeness of God. Rich or poor, sick or healthy, famous or infamous every human being is due respect because God has created them. Although we were formed from the dust of the earth we are a sign of the presence of God; we are a trace of the glory of God. We share in the life of God. Apart from God there is no life. Who cannot sense the power and creating presence of God at the birth of each new baby?
Where God's plan for abundant life begins to unravel is from sin. "When God is not acknowledged as God the profound meaning of man is destroyed and communion between people is compromised" (EV 36). Notice sin al-ways ruptures our relationship with BOTH God and others.
We also see our value in the Crucifixion. Our dignity lies in the fact that we are created by God and we were saved by the death of Jesus. Think how much one human soul means to God if He would send His only Son to die for just one of us. This is why we respect life. God loves us so much that he sent his Son to die for us! When we hear the words, “This is my body which will be given up for you” we should think of the dignity of every person that Je-sus died for. That person you sit next to in the pew, the person you pass on the highway or in the grocery line is loved by the Heavenly Father in a way we will never imagine.
It becomes readily apparent then, that in order to respect life we must first respect God. If we don't respect God we will not respect life. If our society does not respect God then our society will have no respect for human life.
What kind of commentary on our view of children is the fact that we have 4,000 abortions a day in the USA? We lost 3,000 people in a single day on September 11 and yet day after day 4,000 of our most defenseless citizens are not given the opportunity to experience life. Aren't you glad that your parents were pro-life, that they gave you the opportunity to experience life in this world and in the world to come?
The conception of a child is a holy moment. It is where earth and heaven meet. A soul comes into existence that was not there a moment before. A soul that will live for all eternity. A soul that is conceived tomorrow will still be very much alive 10,000 years from now. How powerful is that? How holy is that?
Let us stand firm against euthanasia. To prematurely end someone's life is to take on the role of God. Each per-son, no matter how old or infirm is a human being full of dignity. May we always treat them as such. When we see the dignity of the human person it should affect our entire ethic of life: from an infant in the womb to the elderly woman in the nursing home.
How do we form our opinion in regard to abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, cloning, contraception, the death penalty and other life issues? We remember the dignity of each human person. We remember that when they were conceived earth and heaven came together. We remember that they will live for all eternity. As the United States of America how do we stand before our heavenly Father?
Our heavenly Father delights in each one of us. May we recognize the wonder of each human life and develop and live a true ethos of life. Mother Teresa often encouraged us to do "something beautiful for God." There are so many things we can do to promote respect for life and to teach our children to do the same. It begins with love of God, proceeds through our loving families and goes out to the whole world. We must be people of prayer. Let us pray that we might see every life with the tender love that Jesus sees. God is our common Father and we are all brothers and sisters. May we respect the life of every brother and sister, no matter how young or old, no matter how weak or strong may we see God in that person.
We close with the words of Saint John Paul II, "…Respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life! Only in this direction will you find justice, development, true freedom, peace and happiness” (EV 5).
-Fr. Tim McKeown
Isaiah 5:1-7
Let me now sing of my friend, my friend's song concerning his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside; he spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes. Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard: What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? Now, I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard: take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers; I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it. The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant; he looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry!
Matthew 21:33-43
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "Hear another parable. There was a landowner
who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to
tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain
his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they
stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same
way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son,
they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him,
threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when
he comes?" They answered him, "He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard
to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times." Jesus said to them, "Did you never read
in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been
done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit."
Psalm: The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.
Philippians 4:1-6-9
Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiv-ing, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.
I sing the mighty pow’r of God That made the mountains rise, That spread the flowing seas abroad, And built the lofty skies. I sing the wisdom that ordained The sun to rule the day; The moon shines full at his command, And all the stars obey. I sing the goodness of the Lord That filled the earth with food; He formed the creatures with his word, And then pro-nounced them good. Lord, how thy wonders are displayed Where’er I turn my eye; If I survey the ground I tread, Or gaze upon the sky. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #736013-A.
God of our fathers, whose almighty hand Leads forth in beauty all the starry band Of shinning worlds in splendor through the skies, Our grateful songs before thy throne arise. Thy love divine hath led us in the past, In this free land by thee our lot is cast; Be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay, Thy word our law, thy paths our chosen way. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #736013-A.
The Council of Catholic Women have handmade over 1200 masks for our Parish since the begin-
ning of the pandemic at no cost. We have used what ever resources we could acquire with Na-
tionwide shortages of certain materials. If you would like us to continue to do so, please consid-
er putting a donation check memo CCW mask so we can compensate our sewers needs. Thank
you!
Saturday, November 7, 2020
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For more info: Ginger @ [email protected]
Crafter’s
Bazaar
I would like to thank you for your thoughts and prayers this week upon my Ordination and In-
stallation as the Fifteenth Bishop of Savannah. As I settle into my new responsibilities I write to
you today to provide you with an update on how we as a Diocese are moving forward in the
midst of the pandemic.
While the number of new COVID-19 cases in Georgia has declined by more than 50%since the
beginning of August - from a 7-day moving average of 3,551 on August 1 to 1,724 on September
20-we remain cautious and concerned for the health of everyone. Therefore, I’m extending the
Dispensation from the Obligation to attend Sunday Mass through the end of the liturgical year,
the Solemnity of Christ the King which is celebrated on November 22, 2020.
To those who are reluctant or unable to come to Mass or parish events, I ask you to continue to
nurture your faith! Watching a live-streamed Mass is only part of the equation. Perhaps you
could also deepen your relationship with our Blessed Mother by praying a daily rosary or visiting
your parish church to pray privately during the day when few are present. Would you consider
participating in a formative program or bible studies at www.formed.org and
www.ascensionpress.com? Even if we stay home, our spiritual lives and our relationship with
Jesus Christ and the Church must be tended to.
Sincerely Your in Christ ,
Most Reverend Stephen Parkes,, D.D. - Bishop of Savannah
Daily Mass Schedule
Monday: noon Tuesday: noon Wed: 7:00 pm Thursday: 8:00 a.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. (Masks required)
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is Open.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10-4
The St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry has the following specific need for items we are currently unable to source or are not made available through our local food bank, if you are able to help: Cans or cups of fruit, packed in water or light syrup, if possible (Peach slices/chunks, Pear slic-es/chunks, Fruit Cocktail, Mixed Fruit, Mandarin Oranges), Cut Green Beans, cans, Whole Ker-nel Sweet Corn cans, Vienna sausage, 4.6 oz. pop-top cans, Luncheon meats (Spam, Treat, etc.), pull-top cans, Solid White or Chunk Light Tuna, cans or pouches, Pasta & Meat items (Ravioli, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Beefaroni), cans, Pasta & Meat bowls, microwaveable items.
CONFESSIONS Confessions are offered on Sat. at 4:00 p.m.,
Sun. at 7:45 a.m., and Wed. at 6:15 p.m., al-
so, by appointment.
Did you know you have free access to
a treasure trove of Catholic resources?
Movies, Catholic teachings, testimo-
nies, children religious cartoons, etc.
Simply go to Formed.org and select
SFX Church and School and sign in.
Our seminarian, Lewis King, will offer a
workshop in the Narthex on Sunday
Oct 11 at 9:45 a.m. about how to use
the website for you and your family.
Seminarian Lewis King will offer a
study on the Cardinal Virtues.
There will be two opportunities
for Session One - an overview of
the virtues. Then the next three
weeks will focus on particular vir-
tues. Session One Monday Oct.
5 at 10:30 a.m. in the Narthex. Special thanks to all who contributed to the
Annual Catholic Appeal. We have reached
our goal of $53,796! We watched the video
of Bishop Hartmayer in a presentation
called “Sowing the Seeds”. We now have
Bishop Stephen D. Parkes to continue the
work. Most of our contribution goes to
fund our seminarians’ room, board and tui-
tion. We have been blessed to host many
seminarians here at SFX through the years.
ACA funds also support SFX School, our
Sunday school, our youth ministry, social
services, Hispanic ministry and other key
ministries in the diocese! Thank you for
your generosity!
Mass Intentions - October 3 -11
October 3rd- Carlton Burgess Sr,, t Johnny Paulk
October 4th- t Lou Tommasini & Edward Rozmarynoski, t Helen Wozniak, Our Parish Family
October 5th- t Wanda Hand
October 6th- t Mary Jane Camp
October 7th- t Stan & Anne Jennings
October 8th- t Dorcas-Ehlman Families
October 9th- t Douglas Kronn
October 10th - Geiorgia Clements, t Jack & Gloria Dietrich
October 11th- Marisol Soler, Knights of Columbus, Our Parish Family
Davis Love Foundation Car Raffle
Help St Francis Xavier School raise money by purchasing
Raffle tickets ($20 per ticket) or making a tax-deductible
donation.
Flyers are available on the tables if you are interested on
how to purchase a ticket or call Ann in the Church Office.
Here are three easy ways to help our school with earn funds!
Publix Partners: Link your Club Publix card to our school by searching zip
code 31520 - https://www.publix.com/myaccount/publix-partners
Harris Teeter Together in Education: Link your VIC card to our school
using school # 2336 - https://www.harristeeter.com/user/account/My-
account
Box Tops For Education: No more clipping! No more sending Box Tops
to school! Download the new Box Tops app, set up St. Francis Xavier as
your school, shop as you normally would, scan you store receipt to find par-
ticipating products. *Eventually the Box Tops program will become digital
-only.*
Thank you for your support!
St. Francis Xavier Staff email addresses
Fr. Tim: [email protected]
Fr. Chris: [email protected]
Ann: [email protected]
Deacon Larry: [email protected]
Marisol: [email protected]
Juan: [email protected]
Maggie: [email protected]
Dr. Mermann: [email protected]
